Living in India
Information about moving to, living or retiring in India – including visas, working, healthcare and driving.
Getting help with living in India
Help from the Indian government
For any questions about moving to or living in India, you may be able to get help from the:
The UK government, the British High Commission in New Delhi and British consulates around India cannot give personalised advice on moving to, living or retiring in India.
Professional help in India
You can also get help from English-speaking professionals in India, including:
- lawyers
- translators
- notaries
- funeral directors
Help from the UK government
Read the travel advice for India to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit India. This includes the latest information on:
- visas and entry requirements
- laws and cultural differences
- safety and security
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad.
Get help from the UK government abroad, including in an emergency.
Visas, residency and citizenship
Make sure you meet the entry requirements for India before you travel.
Visas
Check which Indian visa type you need to live in India.
You can get a visa to:
- work
- study
- live with family in India
- start a business in India
- do research
If you want to extend your visa, read guidance on visa extensions in the entry requirements for India. You can also contact the Indian Bureau of Immigration.
For more information:
- read the visa information from the High Commission of India in London
- visit India’s online visa portal for the UK
- read guidance from the Consular, Passport and Visa Division of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs
Registering as a resident
Once you arrive, if you plan to stay for longer than 180 days, you will need to register your residency in India. For more information, read our guidance on registering with the authorities in the entry requirements for India.
If you have any problems or questions about registering your residency, contact:
- the Foreigners’ Regional Registration Office (website not accessible outside India)
- an English-speaking lawyer in India
Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card
You may be able to apply for an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card if you are of Indian origin or have family ties to India.
The card allows you to enter India without a visa and live, work or study there for an unlimited time.
To find out if you’re eligible and how to apply, read:
- answers to frequently asked questions about the OCI card, from the High Commission of India in London
- the OCI information from VFS Global, India’s online visa portal for the UK
Citizenship
India does not recognise dual citizenship. This means that you may have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become an Indian citizen.
To find out if you’re eligible for Indian citizenship, visit the online Indian citizenship service from the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs.
Help with visa, residency and citizenship applications
The British High Commission in New Delhi cannot help with Indian visa, residency or citizenship applications.
For any questions or issues, contact:
- the Indian Bureau of Immigration
- the High Commission of India in London
- an English-speaking lawyer in India
Passports and travel
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- apply for a British passport from abroad
- travel urgently without your British passport
Returning to the UK
When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement.
Healthcare in India
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- plan your healthcare
- take medicine abroad
India does not have a reciprocal health agreement with the UK.
Make sure you have appropriate health insurance to cover any healthcare costs. You can get insurance from Indian or international providers. Private healthcare is expensive so your insurance needs to cover any treatment and medication you may need.
To find out how to get medical treatment:
- contact your insurance provider
- read guidance on health in India
- find English-speaking medical facilities and doctors for British nationals in India
Working in India
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers working abroad, including documents you may need from the UK government.
To work in India, you may need a work visa.
The High Commission of India in London explains the different employment visas and business visas available to you.
To apply for a job, you may need to provide a UK criminal records (DBS) check.
Recognition of qualifications
If you want to work in India, you may need to get your foreign qualifications recognised.
Driving in India
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- drive abroad legally
- take your UK vehicle abroad
- get driving licence letters
Read about road travel in India, in safety and security in the travel advice for India. This includes information on driving in India, including driving licence rules.
The Indian Ministry of Road Transport and Highways provides information on driving in India, including how to:
- apply for an Indian driving licence
- register a vehicle in India
Disabled drivers
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in India, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
Tax
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance.
The UK has a double taxation agreement with India so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.
Contact the Indian Income Tax Department for any questions about double taxation relief.
Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in India. To do this, find an English-speaking lawyer in India.
Pensions
Claiming your UK pension
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
- how to claim your UK State Pension
- where the UK government pays an annual increase in the State Pension
Benefits
Claiming UK benefits
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to claim UK benefits abroad, including Child Benefit.
Buying and renting property in India
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers buying and renting property abroad.
Contact an English-speaking lawyer in India if you’re considering buying property or land.
Voting in India
UK elections
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- vote in UK elections from abroad
- register as an overseas voter
Indian elections
You cannot vote in Indian elections unless you hold Indian citizenship. An Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card does not give you the right to vote.
For more information, visit the Indian Voters’ Service Portal.
Studying in India
If you plan to study in India, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel.
For more information:
- read about studying in India and travel grants for students studying abroad or on placements (England)
- contact your higher education provider in the UK or India
- contact Study in India, a service from the Indian Ministry of Education
Children
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers moving abroad with children, including:
- getting permission to take your child abroad
- claiming UK Child Benefit abroad
- child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad
Schools and education
The Indian Department of School Education and Literacy provides information about the school system in India.
All children aged 6 to 14 must attend school or home school in India.
For more information:
- read about education in India from the Indian government
- contact your local education authority
Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships
Births
If your child is born in India, register the birth with the the local authority (authority, municipality, panchayat or hospital) within 21 days to obtain a free birth certificate.
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- register the birth with the UK authorities to get a UK birth certificate
- apply for your child’s first British passport
Deaths
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
- what to do after someone dies abroad
- how to register the death with the UK authorities
If someone dies in India, read guidance on:
Marriages and civil partnerships
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get married or form a civil partnership abroad.
For information about LGBT+ rights in India, read guidance on safety and security in the travel advice for India.
Divorce and separation
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get a divorce or end a civil partnership.
If you plan to divorce in India, consider taking legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in India.
You can also read guidance on child custody and family law in our guidance on safety and security in the travel advice for India.
Documents for British people in India
Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad. This covers:
- legalising and certifying UK documents
- marriage and civil partnership documents
- affirmations and affidavits
- witnessing signatures
Lawyers, translators and notaries
To find an English-speaking lawyer, translator or notary in India, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad.
Pets
If you want to bring your pet with you to India, read guidance on:
Returning to the UK
Read returning to the UK permanently. This includes information on bringing family members back to the UK, tax and access to services.
Disclaimer
We provide this information as a guide only. For definitive information, contact the Indian authorities.
Read our consular information disclaimer.
Updates to this page
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Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand.
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Guide updated
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Added link to apply for an organ donation letter. Added section 'Studying in India' with links to apply for administrative letters.
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Updated E-FRRO registration link
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Coronavirus section added with a link to guidance on vaccines
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Complete revision of guidance to ensure it's up to date and accurate.
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We have added guidance on organ transplant surgery in India.
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First published.